by Gazette Reporter
A former senior Humberside Police officer who went on to become chief constable of Staffordshire Police has been found to have committed gross misconduct and barred from ever serving in policing again.
Chris Noble, who was assistant chief constable at Humberside Police from 2017 until 2021, would have been dismissed had he not resigned the day before a disciplinary hearing earlier this week, an independent misconduct panel concluded.
The hearing, which ended yesterday Thursday, July 30, was held in Mr Noble’s absence.
Mr Noble, 52, was suspended by Staffordshire Police last August after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into his behaviour.
Some of the allegations relate to his time with Humberside Police before he left the force to become chief constable of Staffordshire Police in 2021.
The allegations cannot be reported because of restrictions imposed by the misconduct panel.
Mr Noble joined Humberside Police in 2017 after a 21-year career with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, where he held a number of senior roles, including head of professional standards and counter-corruption.
Staffordshire Police has confirmed that Becky Riggs will remain acting chief constable.
Following the hearing, IOPC director general Rachel Watson said the case reinforced the need to reform the way senior police leaders are selected.
Her comments follow the publication of a Police Leadership Commission report, produced with input from the IOPC, which called for an “ethical reset” among senior officers and described the current system as requiring a “fundamental overhaul”.
Ms Watson said: “As the police complaints watchdog, we are uniquely placed to identify issues, areas of concern, and ways to improve policing.
“I do believe most chief officers do a good job in challenging circumstances. But too often our investigations are uncovering longstanding, unreported concerns about their behaviour.
“Concerns need to be raised and heard long before someone is considered suitable for appointment to the chief officer rank.”
The IOPC said Mr Noble was one of eight serving or former chief constables who, until his resignation, were under misconduct investigation or awaiting related disciplinary proceedings.
National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, said after the conclusion of the hearing: “The exit of the former chief constable of Staffordshire Police following gross misconduct is deeply concerning.
“As chief constable, he held the highest rank in his force, alongside national responsibilities. That fact alone is extremely worrying for us all.
“Those in policing, especially in positions of leadership, must be held to the highest possible standards. Due to ongoing IOPC investigations, and reporting restrictions, I am limited in what I can say at this stage, so our efforts now are to support those who are affected by this case, and to ensure that any further reports are dealt with effectively.
“We know that there is more for us to do and further for us to go to ensure that officers and staff, as well as members of the public, feel confident to report wrongdoing, regardless of rank.
“Ensuring robust disciplinary action is taken is crucial in sending a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Photo: Staffordshire Police